More Dell (laptop) issues...

[cruiseroutfit]

Over the weekend I developed a battery issue...

When I boot my computer, I get a message saying it can't recognize my AC power adapter, so it might not run correctly. At the same time, my battery won't charge. It shows its working properly, just doesn't show its getting a charge.

The battery is dead, and running completely on the AC power cord. I can remove my battery completely, nothing happens.

Seems like I need to replace either the battery (original from ~03?) or the Dell charger (second unit I've had, this one is probably 2 yrs old?). Thoughts?

 

[Rusted]

Have you put a meter on your AC adapter to make sure it is giving you power?

Also there was a rash of bad AC Adapters from that era, with problems like causing fires. It maybe worth calling Dell to make sure you have one that is not in the problem list.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The AC adapter is at least powering the laptop, my battery is out right now. I'll grab my voltmeter and see if its putting out the full voltage.

In my power-management, it doesn't even show the battery as "charging" if I plug in the battery, just says 0% charge. If I unplug the AC power, it shuts off within a second or two, not even enough time to hibernate.

 

[Rusted]

put the volt meter on the battery too. To be that dead makes me wonder if the battery is not making a connection to the computer.

 

[Meat_]

Lithium Ion batteries have a chip in them to regulate voltage, if the battery ever dips below the threshold voltage the chip will shut off the output and the battery will never work again.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Never ending issues....

So I finally decided that the battery was fine, it was a bad charger (or motherboard is more likely). With the new charger it started charging the battery just fine (for another month)... so problem fixed.



Now the next one, it won't boot

When I power it up it will boot as normal for 30 seconds or so (gets to the windows screen with the "progress" bar. It either locks up there, or just powers down

And when it doesn't do that, it gives me an error message, saying that "the device I have plugged into port D of the docking station isn't compatible"... I don't have a docking station??? WTF

I backed up everything I had on the computer just a couple of weeks ago There are still some things I want off of it though, user files from my GPS and CAD software (didn't think to save those ) and some trip reports I was working on I'm thinking I can just mount the harddrive out of the computer and pull the info off right? How much equipment am I looking at to be able to pull the drive off? Better to just pay someone to retreive the hard-drive info? I'm assuming it still an operating drive?

After I sort out this mess my next step is to buy a new laptop (oh Olly)

 

[Meat_]

You would either need a cable that is made to convert from laptop hard drive interface to normal computer interface (IDE) or better yet, buy an external enclosure for laptop hd's. Then you can just put the drive in there and copy the stuff onto your computer over USB or Firewire.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

You would either need a cable that is made to convert from laptop hard drive interface to normal computer interface (IDE) or better yet, buy an external enclosure for laptop hd's. Then you can just put the drive in there and copy the stuff onto your computer over USB or Firewire.

I planned on the enclosure, I looked into it at one time, but never pulled the trigger, I ended up getting a couple of backup drives (thankful I did as I had everything stored on just my laptop).

Wonder if this Dell is worth repairing? I've replaced the battery, two chargers, the keyboard and the mouse, getting to be a moneypit

 

[Meat_]

Here's a bunch of them

I don't know how new your lappy is, it could have SATA instead of IDE on the hard drive, you'll need to know that before you order. There is a drop down on the left side of the page I linked you to labeled internal interface... choose the appropriate one

 

[Meat_]

I planned on the enclosure, I looked into it at one time, but never pulled the trigger, I ended up getting a couple of backup drives (thankful I did as I had everything stored on just my laptop).

Wonder if this Dell is worth repairing? I've replaced the battery, two chargers, the keyboard and the mouse, getting to be a moneypit

Wayne would be the one to ask about Dell

 

[Brett]

Buy a new computer dude...that thing is effed

 

[Stephen]

I know you don't want to hear this, but buy an Apple. I'll even hook you up with a good deal . At the very least, I can get you an enclosure for pretty cheap.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Here's a bunch of them

I don't know how new your lappy is, it could have SATA instead of IDE on the hard drive, you'll need to know that before you order. There is a drop down on the left side of the page I linked you to labeled internal interface... choose the appropriate one

Its 4-5 years old, running XP, etc. I assume its got a IDE but I honestly don't know. Dell Inspiron 8600... looking for specs on Dell's site now.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Buy a new computer dude...that thing is effed

Your probably right... I just don't have $1000 to drop on a new laptop right now, plus I want to get the stuff I didn't backup off of it. Thankfully its all stuff I could live without... but still. I was thinking I could get it working and turn it into a garage computer or something like that?

 

[Meat_]

Its 4-5 years old, running XP, etc. I assume its got a IDE but I honestly don't know. Dell Inspiron 8600... looking for specs on Dell's site now.

My guess would be IDE, the hd's on Dells are usually pretty easy to take out. If it is a long plug it is IDE if it is pretty narrow it is SATA.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

My guess would be IDE, the hd's on Dells are usually pretty easy to take out. If it is a long plug it is IDE if it is pretty narrow it is SATA.

It comes out with one screw I beleive... This IDE?

 

[MattL]

what model, i might have parts and or a power supply for you.

never mind .. dell 8600.
I dont have any parts for that model.
I do have power supply if needed

 

[Stephen]

Yeah, thats IDE.

 

[soda blaster]

If you custom order it you can get a dell pretty cheap and have a lot of options including windows xp instead of that damned new one. If you can't get the files off your old one I thought I heard a commercial saying pc laptops does that kind thing. I don't know what they charge though.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

what model, i might have parts and or a power supply for you.

Dell Inspiron 8600 w/serial ports